Editor,

RE: "Refugees in Rwanda gain access to finance” (The New Times, June 20).

For the last three years or so, Rwanda has been blessed to have a wonderful individual in Azam Saber, the Country Representative of UNHCR.

Though I have known Saber for a relatively short span of time, please allow me to share with your readers that he recently endeared himself to me, personally and to the members of my the Indian delegation that was in Rwanda to participate in World Refugee Day 2017.

It is often said that "people make the difference” and it is without any doubt that people like Saber made all the difference and brought smiles to the thousands of refugees who are in the country, whether they are from Democratic Republic of Congo or Burundi.

Over the last decade, I have made so many visits to this country. But it was on this visit that I had the unique experience of meeting and interacting with a cross-section of refugees. As Saber stated, it was the first time ever he had received an Indian delegation at a refugee camp.

His warmth and gracious hospitality has left a lasting impression on my mind, on the minds of my fellow delegates and very specially on the mind of our youngest 17-year-old scholar, Neysa Sanghavi, who has found a very special place in Saber’s heart. Saber been immensely impressed by how Sanghavi, at that young age, was so interested in the refugees and spent five days working at the Mahama Refugee Camp, along with her mother, Dr Sejal Sanghavi.

It was during World Refugee Day at the Kigali Marriott Hotel when Indian celebrity Suhail Zargar released the original composition of his song for Rwanda, titled "Oh My Rwanda’” The song was well received and much appreciated by the distinguished audience. The visit of the celebrity would not have been possible if it was not for the full support from Saber.

As a tribute to Azam Saber, we shall all strive to carry on the legacy he has left behind and work with his successor and with MIDIMAR (the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs), towards the welfare of the refugees, who can now even gain access to finance.

Au revoir dear Azam!

Clarence Fernandes